Introducing Jalen Chatman: Rutgers Football’s Newest Commit

As the high school calendar year comes to a close, commitment season for the Class of 2018 begins to ramp up across the country.

For Rutgers, the class began in the secondary, with commitments from defensive backs Jarrett Paul and Rachad Wildgoose Jr. Now, they’ve added another body to the quarterback room of the future.

Here’s five things to know about Rutgers’ newest commit, Jalen Chatman.

1. Dual Threat

An important quality to have in today’s college football world, Jalen Chatman is a dual threat quarterback in every sense of the word. In his junior season this past fall for Narbonne High School, Chatman ran 68 times for 622 yards and six touchdowns, while passing for 3,926 yards and 52(!) touchdowns. Chatman fits the mold of 2017 Rutgers QB commit Johnathan Lewis – able to run all over the field at the high school level, but a true D-1 passing talent.

2. Hot Commodity

Chatman grades out as a 3-star recruit, according to 247Sports.com. He checks in as the 34th ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country and the 100th ranked prospect in all of California. Chatman was in communication with several D1 programs, and even had offers from Army and Navy before committing to Rutgers.

3. California Kid

Jalen Chatman will have made a cross-country journey by the time he lands On The Banks, hailing from Harbor City, California. In his junior year, Chatman was named to the MaxPreps California All-State First Team. Additionally, he was named the L.A. City Player of the Year. A huge west coast career for the kid coming east.

4. Quick Moving Recruitment

While the interest in Chapman has been in place for months, Rutgers made it official on May 4th, offering a scholarship to the Class of 2018 quarterback. Although Chapman had originally planned on announcing his college commitment at the end of May, the Rutgers offer was all he needed to know what was in store for his future.

5. Recruiting Weapon

Look for Chatman to be a leader when it comes to the rest of Rutgers’ Class of 2018. Highly rated, early committing recruits are always integral when it comes to landing fellow prospects who are deciding between schools. It looks like Chatman has already formed a friendship with fellow commit Jarrett Paul, who should help serve in the same role as an active recruiter.

Check out Jalen Chatman’s Junior Season highlights below:

Welcome to the Banks, Jalen!